Upper and Lower ibraces

[reluctantibraces]

I got my bottom ibraces on 3 weeks ago today, and I am really finally very used to them... Thank goodness! Never thought that would happen! I am getting the tops on Sept 4th and am really nervous about speech problems. I do a lot of talking at my job and interact with people, etc and I don't want them to know about the ibraces. Does anyone have any experience with top ibraces and lower at the same time? How did it affect your speech? Eating, etc?? I am just very nervous and was hoping someone could shed some light with their experience.
Thanks

[Janesays]

well, my sister-in-law has ibraces on both top and bottom, and she said there was an initial time period of getting use to them, however she said it was no big deal.

Now she is a public speaker for a corporation and she loves them. I talk to her daily and don't even notice...

[Stephanie]

ibraces are pretty nifty. I wouldn't worry about speech or eating issues.. They were quite common at the office I worked at and never noticed any of those problems.

Don't forget to start your blog, it is a good way to track progess and pay it forward to those that are in your position now

[Sunny]

Hi Reluctant and welcome to this forum.

We have a few patients with ibraces on both arches, and after an initial period of adjustment, most appear happy with their decision to have this system of brackets. During the adjustment period we recommend regular warm salt water rinses ... usually done once a day, but during the fortnight following the bonding of ibraces, it's recommended that rinsing be 5+ times a day to help soothe the mouth, in particular the tongue. Then we recommend reading out loud, singing and as much practise as possible to help your tongue adjust and therefore limit speech issues.

From the comments I've heard from these patients, the upper arch was the easier one to adjust to, so hopefully this will be the same for you!

Good luck with your treatment!

[reluctantibraces]

Originally Posted by Sunny

Hi Reluctant and welcome to this forum.

We have a few patients with ibraces on both arches, and after an initial period of adjustment, most appear happy with their decision to have this system of brackets. During the adjustment period we recommend regular warm salt water rinses ... usually done once a day, but during the fortnight following the bonding of ibraces, it's recommended that rinsing be 5+ times a day to help soothe the mouth, in particular the tongue. Then we recommend reading out loud, singing and as much practise as possible to help your tongue adjust and therefore limit speech issues.

From the comments I've heard from these patients, the upper arch was the easier one to adjust to, so hopefully this will be the same for you!

Good luck with your treatment!

Hi Sunny-Just wanted to say THANKS for your response-it made me feel so much better and thank you for the tips. The rinsing with salt water 5+ is a good tip--to be honest, with the lower ones, the only thing that hurt was my tongue-my teeth were a little sore, but not bad at all! The speech thing was what I was so worried about because I don't want people to know I have them, so if I was talking funny, I would have to explain it. How old were you when you got your braces on (hope you don't mind me asking-I'm 43...

[reluctantibraces]

Originally Posted by Stephanie

ibraces are pretty nifty. I wouldn't worry about speech or eating issues.. They were quite common at the office I worked at and never noticed any of those problems.

Don't forget to start your blog, it is a good way to track progess and pay it forward to those that are in your position now

Hi Stephanie-what office did you work out that a lot of people had them? That is interesting! How do I start a blog? I would love to do that and help others along the way!

[Stephanie]

when i live in miami, i worked in an office on south beach, and the doctor was known for ibraces so had a lot of referrals...

I went with metal and ceramic braces when I had my treatment just to save a couple bucks and I didnt mind the braces...

Go here to start your blog:

Braces Forums - Blogs

[Sunny]

Originally Posted by reluctantibraces

How old were you when you got your braces on (hope you don't mind me asking-I'm 43...

I was 47 when I started treatment ... sometimes it seems like a long time ago and other days it feels like it as yesterday.

[Zoso]

I'd speculate that your speech might perhaps be more impacted by the uppers than it was by the lowers - think how many sounds you make that involve the tongue moving forward to the back of the upper front teeth. But almost everyone I've met who has linguals has got used to this in very short order, so do please try not to worry.